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Like other FromSoft games,Elden Ringis known for its convoluted questlines, and the NPC quests of theShadow of the ErdtreeDLC are no different. Many require careful, thoughtful progression to avoid skipping dialogue that leads to dead ends or failures, and several have branching paths that result in different outcomes.
While there are many secrets and hidden items to find in the Land of Shadow thatmay be missed by some players, there are also items that are restricted by quests, meaning they can only be claimed once per playthrough. Once a decision has been made, players will be unable to claim the opposing item until starting a New Game+. Here is a list of all missable DLC items so that you can make the best choice for yourShadow of the Erdtreeplaythrough.
Ymir’s Questline Proves One Elden Ring Ending Is A Terrible Choice
Ymir’s questline in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree recontextualizes one of the base game’s ostensibly happy endings into something much worse.
Crossroads One: Leda vs Hornsent
Supporting Needle Knight Leda vs Hornsent Rewards
The below guide discussesNPC Questline Spoilersfor theElden Ring, Shadow of the ErdtreeDLC’s storyline. Please read ahead with caution.
While some Tarnished begin the DLC supportingNeedle Knight Ledain her mission to save Miquella, her quest unfortunately includes several branching paths that lock players out of different rewards.Hornsentis a somewhat nefarious character that many may want to oppose, but the rewards for siding with him instead could benefit some players.During their questlines, players will reach a crossroads where they must support either Leda or Hornsent. Here are the two rewards depending on the player’s choice for this questline:
Support Hornsent, Fight Leda
Ash of War: Swift Slash
If you choose to assist Leda against Hornsent, you will receive theLacerating Crossed-Treetalisman, whichenhances dash attacks. This can be particularly useful for players who utilize the unique dash attack styles of certain weapons by sprinting at enemies before attacking.
If you assist Hornsent instead of Leda, you will receive a newAsh of War: Swift Slash. This Ash of War canonly be applied on Backhand Blades, a new weapon type introduced in the DLC, and uses theKeen affinity, which applies Dexterity Scaling. Using Swift Slash causes the player to dash forward while creating a damaging vacuum in their wake, slashing enemies and maneuvering past them. This skill can also be charged for greater damage.
Assisting Leda or Hornsent must occurbefore defeating Messmer. Once the player has defeated Messmer, the summon symbols will no longer be present, and the player will miss out on both the talisman and the ash of war for this playthrough.
Crossroads Two: Leda vs Ansbach
Supporting Needle Knight Leda vs Sir Ansbach Rewards
Similar to the decision with Hornsent, Needle Knight Leda also opposesAnsbach, requiring the player to assist one NPC or the other. During her questline, Leda grows continuously concerned withLord Mohg’s former servant, becoming paranoid and requesting assistance from the Tarnished to remove the threat. Depending on whether the player supports Leda or Ansbach, it will result in different rewards and lock the user out of receiving the other reward until playing again on New Game+. Here are the choices and rewards for this decision:
Support Ansbach, Fight Leda
Obsidian LaminaFurious Blade of Ansbach
Once again, if the player chooses to side with Leda, they will be rewarded with another talisman. TheRetaliatory Crossed-Treetalisman enhances attacks performedafter rolling or backstepping. This talisman would be a great option for those using a highly mobile build, using backsteps and dodge rolls to position around enemies. However, if the player assists Sir Ansbach andfollows his quest to completion, they will receiveboth a weapon and an incantation.
The questline for RedmaneFreyjais alsowoven into Ansbach’s questline. Skipping portions of her quest can result in missing out on her armor and weapons. However, players do not need to make a choice in order to obtain her gear, sofollowing Ansbach’s questline fullywill result in receiving all of Freyja’s rewards.
Obsidian Laminais Ansbach’s primary weapon, a primarilyDex-based scythe that has innate Bleed build up. Its weapon skill,Dynastic Sickleplay, maneuvers the player away from the target before dashing in with sweeping slices. The incantation,Furious Blade of Ansbach, is a chargeable Bloodflame Blade incantation, similar to those created and used byMohg, Lord of Blood. The player will lunge at enemies, slashing at them with Bloodflame to dealfire damage and bleed buildup. The number of slashes depends on how long the spell is charged.
Dragon Communion Priestess
Become A Dragon, Or Keep A Dragon
On the approach toJagged Peak, players may notice the giant corpse of a dragon to the south, where they’ll find the Grand Altar of Dragon Communion and theDragon Communion Priestess. Following the area questline for her andIgonwill provide particular rewards, but there is a secret way to obtain something quite different. Byfollowing Thiollier’s questlineand returning to the Priestess at night, players can instead choose to forego arather unique transformationin lieu of a new incantation and Spirit Ash.
Give the Dragon PriestessThiollier’s Concoction
Dragonbolt of FlorissaxAncient Dragon Florissax
If you follow the standard questline for the Priestess and Igon, you will receive thePriestess Heart, which allows players totransform into a dragon form. While in this form, players can activate the heart again to increase their damage with Dragon Cult incantations. Players will also receive theFlowerstone Gavel, a hammer weapon that scales with Strength, Dex, and Arcane. The unique skill for this weapon is the chargeableFlower Dragonbolt, which calls down the red lightning of the Dragon Cult to strike enemies.
Do not defeat Bayleuntil you are ready to end her questline. Doing so will default to the first rewards unless the player has given the Dragon Priestess the concoction. If you want the incantation and spirit ash rewards, be sure togive her the concoction and exhaust her dialoguebefore defeating Bayle.
However, if players instead choose to give the Priestess Thiollier’s Concoction at night, she will instead fall asleep. Reloading the area will prompt new dialogue that can be expired. After killing Bayle, return and speak with her, where she will give the player theDragonbolt of Florissax incantation. This incantation buffs the player and surrounding allies toincrease damage negation and guard damage negation.
Additionally, the Priestess will now join you in the form of theAncient Dragon Florissax Spirit Ash. Her spirit ash uses the Flowerstone Gavel weapon to use the Dragonbolt skill to strike enemies, while also supporting the player by casting her damage negation incantation.
Iris Choice One: Swordhand Of Night Jolán
To Condemn Or Spare The Sisters Of Night
In the DLC, players will end up finding two each of the Consumable items,Iris of GraceandIris of Occultation. These items play important roles in two questlines, one of which is that of Jolán, a sellsword who servesCount Ymir, Mother of Fingers. Once finishing Ymir’s questline, the player will be given a choice to give one of the two irises to Jolán, resulting in different rewards.
Swordhand of Night JolanorJolan and Anna
Give Jolán the Iris of Occultation
Sword of Night
If the player chooses to give Jolán the Iris of Grace, they will be rewarded withJolán’s spirit ashes, Swordhand of Night Jolán. However, if the player is willing to put in a bit of extra work, these spirit ashes can instead beupgraded to the spirit ash, Jolán and Anna.
After obtaining Jolán’s spirit ashes, players should head to theShaman Villageand follow the path to the back of the village. Down the cliffside will be a secret path toRabbath’s Rise, a castle-like structure below. Using Torrent, jump down onto a balcony where you’ll finda puppet of Anna’s body. Activating the puppet will ask if you want to combine the spirits together, which creates the upgradedJolán and Anna spirit ashes.
Alternatively, players can give her the Iris of Occultation instead, being rewarded with theSword of Night, a unique Katana weapon. The Sword of Night scales with Dexterity and has a unique skill calledWitching Hour Slash. Activating the skill holds the blade out before slashing withunblockable shadow blades. The longer the blade is held, the more damage the skill does.
Iris Choice Two: Fire Knight Queelign
To Condemn Or Spare Marika’s Loyal Knight
Fire Knight Queelign is most commonly encountered first during his invasion at theBelurat Tower Settlement. Later, he will again be encountered at theChurch of Crusade. However, his physical body must be discovered bydraining the water from the Church Districtof Shadow Keep. After defeating his spirit invader both times, you will be able to find his dejected body in thePrayer Roomof the church district, where once again you can give the Iris of Grace or the Iris of Occultation.
Give Queelign the Iris of Occultation
Queelign’s Greatsword
Like Jolán, giving Queelign the Iris of Grace will provide you with hisSpirit Ash, Fire Knight Queelign. His spirit ash will aggressively fight enemies using his greatsword and wield fire spells, similar to Messmer’s Fire Knights. Unfortunately, his spirit ashes do not have a further upgrade.
By giving him the Iris of Occultation, players will instead receiveQueelign’s Greatsword, a greatsword that scales from Strength, Dex, and Faith and has innate Fire Damage. This greatsword does not have a unique skill, instead having theImpaling Thrust Skill, butcan be infused with other Ashes of Warto allow for variability in its playstyle.
InElden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, there are many items that can be missed without thorough exploration. However, likeredeeming Remembrances, there are only so many rewards that can be claimed on a single playthrough. Being aware of different outcomes allows you to choose the best rewards for your playstyle and build. Though, worst case, there is always New Game+!
